THE IMPORTANCE OF HEALTH MANAGEMENT OF GRASSCUTTERS IN CAPTIVITY IN DAVID MARK FARM AT AKPA-OTOBI, BENUE STATE, NIGERIA.

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1 THE IMPORTANCE OF HEALTH MANAGEMENT OF GRASSCUTTERS IN CAPTIVITY IN DAVID MARK FARM AT AKPA-OTOBI, BENUE STATE, NIGERIA. 201 ULOKO I. J Department Of Wildlife And Range Management, College Of Forestry And Fisheries, University Of Agriculture, P. M. B 2373, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria. And AUDU, F.O Microbiology And Parasitology Unit, Federal Medical Centre Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria. ABSTRACT Health problems posed a great danger to management of grass-cutter farms. This has led to mortality of grass-cutters under captive rearing in David Mark grass-cutter farm at Akpa-Otobi. The period of study was between 2003 and Further study and evaluation are still going on between 2007 and Twenty specimens of dead and dying grass-cutters were used for the study. Total post- mortem examination was performed on the carcasses. Postmortem finding was limited to gross pathological lesion and faecal sample analysis using direct smear method under the microscope (x40 objectives x 10 ocular), Onyeanusi et al, (2001). It was discovered that mortality occurred in both sexes of different age groups of the grass-cutters in captivity. Such other factors identified included stress, trauma, dystocia, respiratory distress (pneumonia), intestinal coccidiosis, helminthiasis, toxemia, abscess and injury resulting from fighting and aggression. It is noted that adequate husbandry, proper nutrition and total cleanliness would assist in reducing cases of stock mortality. Keywords: Grass-cutter, husbandry, parasites, mortality, post-mortem. INTRODUCTION Generally, there is relationship and interaction between health status, local environment and husbandry techniques in keeping animals in captivity and productive life, Onyeanusi et al, (2001). This potent a clearer understanding of wild animal diseases which may be studied in captivity with the grass-cutter as typical example. Furthermore, domestication deprives wild animals of their normal unlimited and unrestricted free access to natural food items, minerals and preferred habitats. Actually, in the wild, they know when to move from an unsuitable habitat to a desired one in order to avoid disease and pests infestations. Ajayi, (1986) discovered prevalence of ascardidasis and ancylostomiasis in rainy season among wild animals in Jos Plateau in Nigeria. Fagbemi and Tomori, (2003) reported that rift value fever affect livestock among other domesticated animals in Nigeria. However dermatophyte infections caused by Trichophyton rubrum are usually limited to the superficial keratinized layer of the epidermis. In spite of the fact that they are not deeply rooted into the tissues, they still elicit body immune responses, Grappe and Edward, (2004). Also, Jasper and lewis, (2005) indicated in their report that coccidimycosis is a chronic fatal disease that gains entry deep into the animal tissues and is caused by coccidiodes immitis. It was believed to have enlarged the animal tissues and made mobility difficult. In addition, parasites constitute health and social economic problems in domestic animals undergoing domestication for either homestead or commercial rearing. Odoh, (2002) reported the occurrence of

2 THE IMPORTANCE OF HEALTH MANAGEMENT OF GRASSCUTTERS IN CAPTIVITY IN DAVID MARK FARM AT AKPA-OTOBI, BENUE STATE, NIGERIA. 202 dermatomycosis (ringworm) in some bush rats in Benue State of Nigeria. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study was carried out on dead and dying grass-cutter from David Mark grass- cutter farm located at Akpa-Otobi, Benue State. Otobi is located on latitude 826N o longitude 0453E and the altitude of 256m above sea-level, Odeh et al (2004). It has a derived Savanna type of vegetation with bush fallows, arable lands, woodlands and perennial streams. Odeh, (2002) indicated the mean annual rainfall to be between 800mm- 1200mm while the mean monthly maximum and minimum temperatures were 34.6 C and C, respectively. Examinations of twenty carcasses of the grass-cutters were carried out; consisting of 15 females and 5 males. Concise clinical history to the point of death of each specimen was obtained from the farm's records. The full information included sex, weight, and age in captivity, breeding and medication records. In addition the dead animals were presented for 0 o post-mortem examination once death of grass-cutter occurred. The post-mortem examinations were performed at Ak-vertinary consult in Otukpo and at clinical Microbiology and parasitology unit, Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi. Gross pathological changes in the organs were observed. Faecal samples were also examined using the direct smear method under the microscope (x40 objectives x10 occular). Content of the stomach, small intestines and the large intestine, especially the caecum were also analyzed using the same direct smear method. Isolated parasites were identified using the method of shah-fischer (1989). The entire body was also inspected for presence of ecto-parasites before the post-mortem examination was carried on each specimen. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The different clinical parameters of the dead grass-cutter specimens used for the post-mortem examinations are shown below in Table I. It is noteworthy that the female body weight at dead varied between 0.52kg and 3.75kg. Table I: Clinical parameters of the carcass specimens used in the study. Year Specimen Date of post- Age (Months) Sex Body Present Mortem exam Weight (kg) clinical signs 2003 A1 12/June 17 F 1.80 Prolong labour A2 8/October 9 F 0.85 Multiple skin wound A3 12/October 11 F 1.20 Multiple skin wound 2004 B4 13/October 30 F B5 14/October 6 F B6 14/October 6 M B7 14/October 18 F 3.10 Breathing difficulty B8 10/December 32 M C9 13/March 28 F 3.50 Prolong labour

3 ULOKO and AUDU 203 C10 19/April 2 M C11 26/April 26 F C12 20/November 2 F C13 20/November 4 F C14 21/November 12 M D15 4/January 12 M D16 9/January 10 M 0.60 Cachexia D17 9/January 15 F D18 26/Januray 28 F 2.70 Multiple skin abscess D19 11/September 9 F D20 5/November 6 F NOTE: M = Male F = Female A1-A3---B4-B8---C9-C14---D15---D20 = Twenty carcass specimens used in the study against the year of evaluations. It indicted that mortality occurred among the baby, weaner and adult grass-cutter. However, mortality was high among the weaners while some gestating females died in parturition-related complications. This occurred across sexes. TABLE 2: Major Diseases/ Disease conditions identified through post-mortem examination on specimens of grass-cutter carcasses ( ). Case Sex Gross pathological lesions/clinical signs Diagnosis (Tentative) A1 F Enlarge genital, distended abdomen Dystocia presence of foetus in the uterus A2 F Multiple skin wounds Trauma and secondary infections A3 F Multiple skin wounds -do- B4 F Respiratory Distress - B5 F Hepatized lung tissue Pneumonia/ snuffles B6 M Respiratory Distress Pneumonia/ snuffles B7 F Respiratory Distress Pneumonia/ snuffles B8 M Varying grayish nodules in the lung Aspergillosis C9 F Prolong labour, swollen genital, foetus in uterus, vaginal bleeding Dystocia C10 M Cachexia Malnutrition under-nutrition C11 F Presence of Adult tapeworm Helminthiasis C12 F Cachexia Malnutrition under-nutrition C13 F Cachexia -do- C14 F Rough, shrunken abnormal kidney Chronic Nephritis D15 M Food particles seen in trachea Aspiration Pneumonia

4 THE IMPORTANCE OF HEALTH MANAGEMENT OF GRASSCUTTERS IN CAPTIVITY IN DAVID MARK FARM AT AKPA-OTOBI, BENUE STATE, NIGERIA. 204 D16 M Respiratory distress, nasal discharge D17 F -do- D18 F Soft and watery faeces, multiple intestinal Hemorrhage; also swollen eyes Respiratory distress -do- Intestinal coccidiosis conjunctivitis D19 F D20 F Respiratory distress -do- Pneumonia/ snuffles -do- Clinical signs as coughing, sneezing and mucous nasal discharge were some of the respiratory distresses noticed and also predominantly the cause of death among the grass-cutters throughout the duration of the study period. Okorie, (2004) reported that snuffles (Pneumonia postenrellisis) is respiratory disease of rodents particularly during the cold season. It was also observed that dystocia problem (birth problem) was associated with oversized foetus, prolonged labour and general weakness. Helminthiasis is also a major post-mortem finding. Close observations revealed isolation of three types of worms from the gut content of the dead grass-cutter specimens. The preliminary investigations indicated tapeworm (Taenia Sp); roundworm (Ascaris Sp) and whip worm (Trichuris Sp). Poor nutrition has been identified as the cause of most of these diseases, Reveron and Topps, (1970). Below is a table showing the frequencies of occurrence of the diseases/ disease conditions among the reared captive grass-cutter between 2003 and TABLE 3: Frequency of occurrence of diseases/disease conditions between 2003 and Diseases/Disease Condition Frequency % Intestinal coccidiosis 4.80 Respiratory distress/pneumonia Traumatic injury 9.50 Helminthiasis (worms) Poisoning (toxemia) 5.00 Septicaeia 5.20 Nephitis 5.10 Aspiration Pneumonia 4.80 Dystocia 19.10

5 ULOKO and AUDU 205 From the table 3 above, dystocia was next to respiratory distress and helminthes in relative frequency of occurrence during the study, these caused heavy losses to the stock. Other diseases observed whose frequency were not accurately measured were conjunctivitis (swollen eyelids, discharge from eyes); cannibalism (Adult grass-cutter eating the younger ones); paralysis of hind firms (inability to move the limbs); loss of Appetite; vaginal bleeding (through still birth) among others. These findings are not at variance with those of Onyeanusi and Famoyin, (2004) CONCLUSION These results indicates that good hygiene, routine inspection of the cages/hutches and the animals are necessary preventive approach to disease outbreak. Balanced nutrition is necessary requirement to grass- cutters. Continuous research into nutrition and proper care are also important if advancement or improvement in grass-cutter farming is to be sustained. REFERENCES Abrams J.T (1968).Comparative nutrition of wild animals, London Academic Press PP Adebayo, O; Akinyemi, O. Anoojo, M.o. (2004). Cultivation, marketing and utilization of Vernonia amydolina Del. In Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. Journal of forestry Research and management Vol.1 (142); Ajayi. A: Parasites of some wild animals in plateau. Nigeria. (Unpublished).WHO rural research programme in Nigeria, (1986). Bonsma, F. N (1951). Livestock production. In. welsch. A. (Ed) 1954 Africa South of the Sahara, London, Oxford University Press PP Chiejina, S. N (1986). The epixocotiology and control of gastro entrities of domesticated ruminants in Nigeria, Helminthological Abstracts (series A) Fagbemi, A.N (1985): Helminth egg count of some wild mammals in the kainji Lake National Park, Nigeria. International Journal of Zoon 12: Grappe, A.S and Edward, T.S (1972). Nutritriion and gastrointestioal parasitisms in ruminants outlook on Agriculture 6: Gbile, N.O, Okorie, P.E and soladoye, M.O (1984). An appraisal of Urban vegetation of Ibadan city. Proceedings th of the 14 Annual conference of Forestry Association of Nigeria (Eds, okoro, O.O and Fuwape, J.A ) rd December th, Port Harcourt, PP Halpin, E. (1978). Patterns of animal disease. The Macmillan Publishing company Inc. New York. 184 PP. Jasper, S.A and Edward, T.N (1972).

6 THE IMPORTANCE OF HEALTH MANAGEMENT OF GRASSCUTTERS IN CAPTIVITY IN DAVID MARK FARM AT AKPA-OTOBI, BENUE STATE, NIGERIA. 206 Reproductive failure in females. In: Reproduction in farm animals (ed.jasper, S.A) Lea and Febiger, Philadelphia, United States PP Kasali, O.B Majaro, O.M and Dipeolu, O.O (1982): An Outbreak of intestinal coccidiosis in a colony of cane rats in Nigeria. Nigeria Jour. Vet. Med. 9 (2): 3-5 Odeh, J.A (1998): Effects of climate on animal habitats in Benue State, Nigeria. Proceedings on climatology and Nigeria pp Odoh, S.O (2002): Dermatomycosis of some bush rats in Benue State of Nigeria, In Forestry and challenges of sustainable livelihood (eds Abu J.E; Oni, P.I and Popoola,L), Proceedings of the 28 Annual conference of forestry th Association of Nigeria, Akure Ondo State, pp Onyeanusi, A.E and famoyi, J.B (2005): Health care management in captivity: Assessment of causes of mortalities among rearing stock in Ibadan. PP Okorie, P.U (2004): Biological characteristic of grass - cutter (Thryonomys swinderianus): A culturable indigenous rodent: In issues in sustainable Agriculture in Nigeria (eds. Afamdi, A and Nwaigbo L. C.) PP Shad- fischer, M and Say, R.R (1989): Manual of Tropical Vertinary parasitology, CAB International Walling- ford Oxon, U.K, 1989 English Edition, Cambrian printer Aberystroyh, 473 PP JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN FORESTRY, WILDLIFE AND ENVIRONMENT. VOLUME 2 NO.2 SEPTEMBER, 2010